Knee decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed low back disability, left knee disability, GERD, skin rash, and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and low back disabilities, as well as his attempt to reopen a claim for residuals of a fracture of the left foot. The decision did not address any specific rating or effective date.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for synovitis, right knee, with chondromalacia of the patella was denied as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the left knee, status post medial meniscectomy is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examinations revealed that his range of motion was limited to 105 degrees flexion and 125 degrees extension with pain limiting it further. Despite these findings, the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating as the limitation in motion does not warrant an increase beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of chronic conditions in service or continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back strain, left knee condition, and kidney disease. The claim for TDIU was also denied. The Veteran's attempts to reopen his previously denied claims were unsuccessful.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the feet, left knee, and right shoulder have been granted with initial ratings. The Veteran is not entitled to higher initial ratings for his service-connected right shoulder disability or left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back disability, right knee disability, and sinusitis. However, it remains unclear whether these conditions are related to military service or if they were caused by other factors.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches, cervical spine disability involving a herniated disc at C-6, and right shoulder disorder were incurred in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's bullet wound injury of the right upper back is granted service connection. The Board finds that his current knee disabilities are not related to his in-service injuries or his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claim is needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA orthopedic examination to determine if his left knee disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected left knee condition or aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's patella tendon strain of the left knee has been rated at 30 percent, and her DJD of the left knee has been rated separately for limitation of extension at 10 percent. The appeal is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure to comply with duty to assist and additional development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left hip disorders need further examination and medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected right lower extremity disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The Board has decided in favor of the Veteran, granting service connection for a right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's tinnitus, sinusitis, bilateral knee disability, and headaches are all related to service. The heart murmur claim was denied in 1981 but reopened due to new evidence.